7 year old dies of malaria, Allegations of ASHA worker negligence surface

A seven-year-old child from the Bilai Ham area of Uttar Gokulnagar under Teliamura Subdivision of Khowai District reportedly died of malaria today, sparking outrage among locals and the child's family over alleged gross negligence by the local ASHA worker.

Sources said that the deceased, identified as the son of Bhagirath Reang, had been suffering from a high fever for the past five to six days. Despite the family’s repeated attempts to seek help from the area’s Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), no assistance was provided, locals alleged.

According to the grieving family, they tried to contact the ASHA worker multiple times over the past few days, requesting a home visit for basic treatment or support in getting the child to the hospital. However, the health worker allegedly remained unresponsive and did not visit the residence.

Due to financial constraints, the impoverished family was unable to afford the estimated Rs 1,000–Rs 1,500 required for private transportation to reach the Teliamura Subdivisional Hospital. It was only when the child’s condition turned critical that the family managed to bring him to the hospital on Saturday.

Doctors at the hospital immediately collected blood samples for testing, which confirmed the presence of malaria parasites. Given the severity of the case, the attending doctor referred the child to GBP Hospital in Agartala for advanced treatment. Tragically, while en route, the child’s condition deteriorated further, and he became unresponsive near the Tui Chindrai area, roughly 5–6 km from Teliamura.

The ambulance turned back and rushed him to Teliamura Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Speaking to reporters, the on-duty doctor confirmed that the child had been suffering from fever for several days before being brought to the hospital. "Malaria parasites were detected in his blood, and we referred him for higher care. Unfortunately, he died on the way," the doctor said.

The incident has triggered anger and grief in the local community. Villagers and the family have lodged a formal complaint against the ASHA worker, holding her responsible for negligence that allegedly led to the death of the child.